Lagos-born Danjuma joins Super Eagles Alex Iwobi at Everton

One of the many transfer news making the rounds is the Arnaut Danjuma loan move to Everton as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano on Thursday.

According to the respected journalist, Danjuma will be undergoing medical tests as a new Everton player in the next few days, stating it could be by the weekend.
“Danjuma will undergo medical tests as new Everton player in the next days, it could be weekend — not today”. Said Fabrizio.

Danjuma will undergo medical tests as new Everton player in the next days, it could be weekend — not today. 🔵🇳🇱

Agreement reached on loan deal from Villarreal until June 2024, as reported earlier.

Danjuma has accepted — he already spoke to Sean Dyche.

Here we go. ✔️ pic.twitter.com/FCzDPkXHnv

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 20, 2023

The Lagos-born Danjuma had passed medicals after a loan deal was agreed between Villarreal and the Merseyside club in the January transfer window, only for the player to retract his move after Frank Lampard was sacked, and joined Tottenham Hotspur.

Lampard had been a major reason why Danjuma wanted to join the Goodison Park outfit, and the strong Dutchman was said to have appreciated that Everton accepted his decision and they parted on good terms during the failed transfer in January.

With Villarreal wanting to sell the player this summer but a loan deal looking more realistically an outcome, Everton who have been interested in the player in time past expressed interest and a deal was agreed.

Arnaut Danjuma hit 22 goals in 51 games for Villarreal following his £21.3 million move to the Spanish club from Bournemouth two years ago.

Danjuma also contributed 17 goals and eight assists in 52 games for Bournemouth who acquired his services from Club Brugge for £13.7 million in 2019.

Everton have been on the transfer market trying to find solutions to their lack of cutting edge in front of goal, and to improve on the 34 league goals recorded throughout last season in the English top-flight.

Arnaut Danjuma, Villarreal player — Credit: Icon Sport

Since parting ways with Brazilian Richarlison in 2022, who was good upfront for the Toffees, Sean Dyche's side had suffered in attack, and only managed to survive the league last season by the skin of their teeth on the last day.

Danjuma, who was eligible to represent Nigeria but opted for the Netherlands, the country of his father, will become Everton's second signing of the summer after Sean Dyche snapped up former Manchester United winger Ashley Young on a free transfer.

Danjuma will also be playing alongside Alex Iwobi who could have been his teammate at national level if he'd decided to feature for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Will Danjuma's loan deal shut the door for Victor Boniface?

Earlier in the week, GoalBall had reported on Everton's interest in signing Nigerian and Union Saint-Gilloise striker, Victor Boniface.

According to the transfer news, the Toffees were yet to make an official bid for the player but Sean Dyche's side have made contacts with Boniface’s representatives, and the Nigerian striker was open to the idea of joining the Premier League club.

However, with Danjuma's loan deal coming through, which works perfectly for an Everton side currently cash-strapped, the possibility of the Merseyside club making an official bid for Boniface looks unlikely at the time of writing.

At the moment, Everton are currently in pre-season in preparation for 2023/24 Premier League season, and have played their first game, edging out Stade Nyonnais 2-1 last Sunday.